*Hawk Attack!!!*

[Chemguy]

I'm sorry to hear you lost a bird. We've had lots of hawks in my neck of the woods lately. It getting to be the time of year when they pair up, or at least start looking to do so. I think that any hawk would see a good thing in a run full of chickens, though I'm not sure if they will or will not 'forget' about them if they spend a few days cooped up. If there are plenty of other prey sources around, they'll likely change their hunting grounds after a while. BUt sooner or later, there will be another.

A double layer of netting should work, but have a pair of thick leather gloves handy in case one gets entangled. You might want to make the netting a bit more visible by tying bits of cloth to it. This might help to more clearly define the barrier and prevent further dive-bombings.

 

[Cardine]

So sad to read about your hawk attack. I have hawks that do fly-bys over my chooks (and the odd Bald Eagle - the joys of the Northwest) but thanks to my rooster I haven't had any losses only a couple of near misses. I hope I haven't just jinxed myself! I really can vouch for a rooster to look after your girls - and it really is sheer entertainment value having one!

 

[kari_dawn]

I had a hawk scare again today too. It came right to my window and tried to snatch one of my baby easter eggers out of the small run right through the wire! She got a little cut, but other than that seems okay...they are BAD this year!

 

[Vamvakas]

Wow, im suprised a hawk would swoop down into a cage... Most of the time hawks are afraid to swoop into a closed area with the fear of getting traped in it.

Yes, during the winter times hawks will come back cause it's an easy meal for them. The hawks are most afraid of humans, they soil there pants then they see you.

 

[kari_dawn]

well, he only landed outside the cage and tried to pull the baby through, but the cage is three feet from the side of the house, and he came in on the side closest to the house. It was a redtail, and looked to be a male.

 

[Olivesmom1]

We have had chickens for 5 years and this year has been the worst ever! We have never had to deal with hawks. However, this is also the first year we have not had a rooster?!?! We gave him to a friend with a ranch after dealing with a bobcat coming daily to enjoy lunch at our house. We were told that the rooster "calls" the bobcats in or at least alerts them to where to find a meal. So far this year we lost chickens to a racoon that ripped the chicken wire vent off the coop to get in, a bobcat, and now hawks. With all of that I have to say the bobcat was much easier to deal with because I was dealing with one enemy that came in on one path down the hill ... not from the sky and mulitple enemies! So, we have elected for a few changes. We have decided we just can not have bantams ... they seem to be in the most danger to the hawks. We also heard that an owl decoy on top of the coop may help?!?! Lastly, I think we are going back to having a rooster (and maybe a goat? I hear that can help) ... I can deal with one bobcat much better than multiple hawks!

 

[kari_dawn]

a guinea may be a good addition too...I would caution you about the owl decoy though...over time, wildlife will grow wise to it and realize it won't hurt them...moving it around occasionally may help though.

Another concern I would have is a goat's protective abilities...haven't really heard of that...my goat was a terrible protector...how about a mini donkey? Down here, people are giving them away cause they can't afford hay for them, dunno about your area though.

 

[Tara Rose]

My guinees were screaming last night so I went out and a hawk had one of my girls in the bushes. I used a long piece of bamboo to prey the hawk off. My guiness ran off but the hawk ran just as fast and before I could find her he had her on the side of the house and she was dead. I would never think they would go after a bird that big. The hawk could not lift her so I threw something at him and he flew to a nearby tree. But would not leave no matter what. I have lots of chickens running around and have only lost babies to the hawks they never bother the adults? I would not have thought this was possible unless I witnessed it.

 

[Tara Rose]

Keeping chickens in Florida is very difficult, I have lost some to Foxes, raccoons, hawks an owl. And even to loose dogs. It is a constant struggle.